Joseph R. Ostrander, 90 of Sterling, IL, passed away on Thursday November 30, 2023, at his home, following a brief illness.
Joe was born on December 29, 1932, in Dixon, IL the son of Cloyd and Bernice (Long) Ostrander. He grew up in Harmon, IL, and graduated from St. Norbert High School in De Pere, WI, and attended St. Norbert College. While in Wisconsin he was a State Boxing Champion. Joe was stationed in Alaska while serving in the U. S. Army during the Korean Conflict. He was employed at Northwestern Steel and Wire Co. for 36 years, retiring in 1985 as a Superintendent. Joe married Judith (White) McKenna on December 17, 1984, in Dixon. He was a lifelong Packers fan. While in high school and college he enjoyed spending time with the Green Bay Packers, because they trained at the school he attended. He enjoyed woodworking clocks and making lasso rope items. In the past, he was a member of Duck’s Unlimited and enjoyed pheasant hunting. Joe and Judy enjoyed winters at their home in 29 Palms, CA.
Survivors include his wife, Judy; daughters, Beth (Terry) Myers and Carol (Mark) Hill both of Morrison, IL; son, Marty Ostrander of Morrison; stepdaughter, Dawn (Everett) Howard; stepson, Jeff (Patty) McKenna; eight grandchildren, Aaron Gerlach, Jacob Sowers, Christian Ostrander, Sarah Ostrander, Mathew Hill, Marcus Hill, Jennifer Suarez, and Jamie Riedl; a stepgrandchild; eight great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Eugene Ostrander; sister, Ramona Bittorf.
Cremation rites will be accorded.
A private Graveside Service will be held at a later date at Holy Cross Cemetery in Harmon, IL.
Memorials may be made in his memory to Happy Tails Shelter in Rock Falls, IL.